Policy Paper- US Homeland Security

Policy Paper- US Homeland Security

Introduction

In terms of homeland security and the intensifying levels of fear amongst citizens towards terrorist attacks, it would be foolhardy to state that the US has lucratively managed to cater to the safety and security requirements of its citizens fully. As a country that has shaken up considerably by major terrorist incidents such as 9/11; these qualms are rational and perhaps defensible. However, a greater threat looms over the public psychology and perception by highlighting the threats to the public at such an enhanced level that it creates an environment of wariness and distress in day-to-day life. Hence creating the much-publicized impact of “terrorism” (Cann, 2005).

Discussion

Recent Major Incidents of Terrorism in the US

On September 11, 2001, shock and alarm shook the United States as the nation suffered one of the biggest emotional and economic impede due to attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York. Washington D. C faced attacks on the Pentagon. Far-reaching political and social experts believe the same to be a brainchild of the Al-Qaeda. It is believed that the same group has been behind the attacks on U.S.S. Cole and embassies of the US in Kenya and Tanzania. Later that year the US as a defensive strategy against terrorism used immense military power in Afghanistan to hinder the creation and hold of a massive terrorist group in the region. The US has dedicated a plethora of resources in the war against terror, launching policies, programs and operations to eliminate the presence of this group as a terrorist element. The Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan for the year 2002 was an attempt to achieve the same aims (Paust, 2003).

Homeland Security

9/11 attacks have helped to evolve the role of private sector in homeland security. A remarkable contribution of this sector has been in allowing the government access to reams of information. Even though the current deputization occurrence has affected retail and service key-players and their efforts positively, there are still impending looms concerning the legal reservations and ambiguities that surround deputization programs. Citizen and private participation spike in the wake of 9/11 is attributed to four critical factors. These include a greater demand for surveillance service and capacity, acknowledgement of the fact that the corporate sector has the capacity to handle sensitive homeland security issues, ease of access for the private sector to acquire such information and active participation of the perturbed yet patriotic masses.

A number of issues with the homeland security have come into play in the past few years, bringing them in the limelight of the media and the public alike. It is often argued that the police and firefighters who play a key role in facilitation of security for the masses lack adequate funding from the Government. The 9/11 attacks have revealed a critical intelligence lapse which needs to be addressed to immediately. The issues pertaining to border security are still present and little efforts at the ground level are visible to achieve the ...